Personal Qualities List

Additional Information for Chapter 5, page 72

What follows is probably the most famous list of personality traits in Psychology. In 1968 Norman Anderson came up with the 555 personal characteristics (listed below) and had hundreds of students rank order the 555 words from most desirable (Note the top 4 are Sincere, Honest, Understanding, and Loyal) to most distasteful (the last 4 are cruel, mean, phony, and liar). The order of the list below represents the average of the students’ rating. Here is the reference if you would like to read Anderson’s original article:

This list may assist you in determining some of your personal qualities that you may not have thought of otherwise.

Sincere

Honest

Understanding

Loyal

Truthful

Trustworthy

Intelligent

Dependable

Open-Minded

Thoughtful

Wise

Considerate

Good-Natured

Reliable

Mature

Warm

Earnest

Kind

Friendly

Kind-Hearted

Happy

Clean

Interesting

Unselfish

Good-Humored

Honorable

Humorous

Responsible

Cheerful

Trustful

Warm-Hearted

Broad-Minded

Gentle

Well-Spoken

Educated

Reasonable

Companionable

Likable

Trusting

Clever

Pleasant

Courteous

Quick-Witted

Tactful

Helpful

Appreciative

Imaginative

Outstanding

Self-Disciplined

Brilliant

Enthusiastic

Level-Headed

Polite

Original

Smart

Forgiving

Sharp-Witted

Well-Read

Ambitious

Bright

Respectful

Efficient

Good-Tempered

Grateful

Conscientious

Resourceful

Alert

Good

Witty

Clear-Headed

Kindly

Admirable

Patient

Talented

Perceptive

Spirited

Sportsmanlike

Well-Mannered

Cooperative

Ethical

Intellectual

Versatile

Capable

Courageous

Constructive

Productive

Progressive

Individualistic

Observant

Ingenious

Lively

Neat

Punctual

Logical

Prompt

Accurate

Sensible

Creative

Self-Reliant

Tolerant

Amusing

Clean-Cut

Generous

Sympathetic

Energetic

High-Spirited

Self-Controlled

Tender

Active

Independent

Respectable

Inventive

Wholesome

Congenial

Cordial

Experienced

Attentive

Cultured

Frank

Purposeful

Decent

Diligent

Realist

Eager

Poised

Competent

Realistic

Amiable

Optimistic

Vigorous

Entertaining

Adventurous

Vivacious

Composed

Relaxed

Romantic

Proficient

Rational

Skillful

Enterprising

Gracious

Able

Nice

Agreeable

Skilled

Curious

Modern

Charming

Sociable

Modest

Decisive

Humble

Tidy

Popular

Upright

Literary

Practical

Light-Hearted

Well-Bred

Refined

Self-Confident

Cool-Headed

Studious

Adventuresome

Discreet

Informal

Thorough

Exuberant

Inquisitive

Easygoing

Outgoing

Self-Sufficient

Casual

Consistent

Moral

Self-Assured

Untiring

Hopeful

Calm

Strong-Minded

Positive

Confident

Artistic

Precise

Scientific

Orderly

Social

Direct

Careful

Candid

Comical

Obliging

Self-Critical

Fashionable

Religious

Soft-Hearted

Dignified

Philosophical

Idealistic

Soft-Spoken

Disciplined

Serious

Definite

Convincing

Persuasive

Obedient

Quick

Sophisticated

Thrifty

Sentimental

Objective

Nonconforming

Righteous

Mathematical

Meditative

Fearless

Systematic

Subtle

Normal

Daring

Middleclass

Lucky

Proud

Sensitive

Moralistic

Talkative

Excited

Moderate

Satirical

Prudent

Reserved

Persistent

Meticulous

Unconventional

Deliberate

Painstaking

Bold

Suave

Cautious

Innocent

Inoffensive

Shrewd

Methodical

Nonchalant

Self-Contented

Perfectionistic

Forward

Excitable

Outspoken

Prideful

Quiet

Impulsive

Aggressive

Changeable

Conservative

Shy

Hesitant

Unpredictable

Solemn

Blunt

Self-Righteous

Average

Discriminating

Emotional

Unlucky

Bashful

Self-Concerned

Authoritative

Lonesome

Restless

Choosy

Self-Possessed

Naive

Opportunist

Theatrical

Unsophisticated

Impressionable

Ordinary

Strict

Skeptical

Extravagant

Forceful

Cunning

Inexperienced

Unmethodical

Daredevil

Wordy

Daydreamer

Conventional

Materialistic

Self-Satisfied

Rebellious

Eccentric

Opinionated

Stern

Lonely

Dependent

Unsystematic

Self-Conscious

Undecided

Resigned

Clownish

Anxious

Conforming

Critical

Conformist

Radical

Dissatisfied

Old-Fashioned

Meek

Frivolous

Discontented

Troubled

Irreligious

Overcautious

Silent

Tough

Ungraceful

Argumentative

Withdrawing

Uninquisitive

Forgetful

Inhibited

Unskilled

Crafty

Passive

Immodest

Unpopular

Timid

Spendthrift

Temperamental

Gullible

Indecisive

Silly

Submissive

Unstudious

Preoccupied

Tense

Fearful

Unromantic

Absent-Minded

Impractical

Withdrawn

Unadventurous

Sarcastic

Sad

Unemotional

Worrying

High-Strung

Unoriginal

Unpoised

Compulsive

Worrier

Demanding

Unhappy

Indifferent

Uncultured

Clumsy

Insecure

Unentertaining

Imitative

Melancholy

Mediocre

Obstinate

Unhealthy

Headstrong

Nervous

Nonconfident

Stubborn

Unimaginative

Down-Hearted

Unobservant

Inconsistent

Unpunctual

Unindustrious

Disturbed

Superstitious

Frustrated

Illogical

Rash

Unenthusiastic

Inaccurate

Noninquisitive

Unagreeable

Jumpy

Possessive

Purposeless

Moody

Unenterprising

Unintellectual

Unwise

Oversensitive

Inefficient

Reckless

Pompous

Uncongenial

Untidy

Unaccommodating

Noisy

Squeamish

Cynical

Angry

Listless

Uninspiring

Unintelligent

Domineering

Scolding

Depressed

Unobliging

Pessimistic

Unattentive

Boisterous

Suspicious

Inattentive

Overconfident

Smug

Unsociable

Unproductive

Wasteful

Fickle

Neglectful

Short-Tempered

Hot-Headed

Unsocial

Envious

Overcritical

Scheming

Sly

Weak

Foolhardy

Immature

Dominating

Showy

Sloppy

Unsympathetic

Uncompromising

Hot-Tempered

Neurotic

Unsporting

Finicky

Resentful

Unruly

Fault-Finding

Messy

Misfit

Uninteresting

Scornful

Antisocial

Irritable

Stingy

Tactless

Careless

Foolish

Troublesome

Ungracious

Negligent

Wishy-Washy

Profane

Gloomy

Helpless

Disagreeable

Touchy

Irrational

Tiresome

Disobedient

Complaining

Lifeless

Vain

Lazy

Unappreciative

Maladjusted

Aimless

Boastful

Dull

Gossipy

Unappealing

Hypochondriac

Irritating

Petty

Shallow

Deceptive

Grouchy

Egotistical

Meddlesome

Uncivil

Cold

Unsportsmanlike

Bossy

Unpleasing

Cowardly

Discourteous

Incompetent

Childish

Superficial

Ungrateful

Self-Conceited

Hard-Hearted

Unfair

Irresponsible

Prejudiced

Bragging

Jealous

Unpleasant

Unreliable

Impolite

Crude

Nosey

Humorless

Quarrelsome

Abusive

Distrustful

Intolerant

Unforgiving

Boring

Unethical

Unreasonable

Self-Centered

Snobbish

Unkindly

Ill-Mannered

Ill-Tempered

Unfriendly

Hostile

Dislikable

Ultra-Critical

Offensive

Belligerent

Underhanded

Annoying

Disrespectful

Loud-Mouthed

Selfish

Narrow-Minded

Vulgar

Heartless

Insolent

Thoughtless

Rude

Conceited

Greedy

Spiteful

Insulting

Insincere

Unkind

Untrustworthy

Deceitful

Dishonorable

Malicious

Obnoxious

Untruthful

Dishonest

Cruel

Mean

Phony

Liar

What follows is an additional list drawn from several sources. There are many duplicates from the Norman Anderson list but enough new words to be worth the effort for some. The words are listed alphabetically.